Live Thread: Cavs @ Hawks (or, Drama King Theater)

After one of the most embarrassing defeats of recent memory, a Cavalier loss to a Hawks team resting five starters, Cleveland looks for revenge. What better way to right the ship (yet again) than against that same Hawks team, not resting five starters. I haven’t gotten the full injury report yet, but it appears that Schroeder, Howard, Bazemore, and Millsap will be back while Sefolosha remains on the DL. For Cleveland, given that he left the game with knee pain Friday, I expect Kyrie Irving to sit. Tristan Thompson will probably continue to rest his thumb as well.

There’s not much more to say about what needs to happen other than that Cleveland needs to avoid the “Tortoise and Hare” analogy that Cory Hughey so aptly applied to Friday’s debacle. Most of us can agree, this Cleveland team is maddening. It’s hard to watch and root for a team that so consistently sabotages itself with atrocious decision making, wildly inconsistent effort, and a consistent “failure to launch.”

We’ve all been around these kinds of people: Drama Kings. We forget that the Cavs have more than their fair share of divas that make drama if there is none already existing. Look at the roster. We all know about J.R.’s trials in New York, his literal trials in Denver, and his um, “flair for the dramatic” throughout last season’s victory celebrations. Flat Earth Kyrie has had his own issues: pouting after a CtB interview with Brian Windhorst, baby mama drama, and more than one “talking to” by the King. Kevin Love? He whined his way out of Minny. Shump? DUI and inexplicable penchant for dribbling turnovers. Deron Williams forced a trade from Utah, sunsetted Jerry Sloan’s career, stunk up the join in Brooklyn, and was kicked out of an all-you-can-eat buffet in Dallas for trying to stay a whole day. (OK, I made that last one up). Tristan Thompson has his own baby issues, and fair or not, could not have picked a more high profile girlfriend in Khloe Kardashian.

Add in Larry “I’m gonna retire for two plus years to smoke pot” Sanders, domestic violence Liggins, and seasonal passive aggressive disorder suffering Mr. Decision, himself: LeBron – subtweeting -can’t settle on a freaking sane free throw stroke – just decides not to play defense sometimes – James. Oh, and don’t forget the owner, Comic Sans Dan. It’s a wonder this team doesn’t have more drama. Sure, all these moments represent guys at their worst, and lord knows I wouldn’t want anyone going through my past with a fine tooth comb, but it seems like David Griffn has an aversion to guys who just put their heads down and get the job done and then go home at night. How did Cleveland get so many of these divas on the same team? I’m sure that David Blatt felt like a babysitter more than once, and that LeBron’s top assistant Tyronn Lue does too.

And I’m the last one who should be calling anyone out for any of this. Anyone who knows me knows that I suffer from emotional oscillations, seasonal malaise, and a tendency to create obstacles for myself. For some, it’s human nature. I struggle with putting it all together on a daily basis. I wish I knew how to be more… consistent.  Maybe it’s just who we are as a species. I mean, look at the history of humanity. It’s a wonder we made it out of the cold war alive. And have you “read the news today? Oh boy.” Maybe – definitely – this Cavs team reflects the world around them.

But the world keeps on spinning. Somehow I figure it out, somehow we figure it out. We haven’t blown ourselves up yet. Why? Eventually, to be successful, one has to stop being a drama king and just do their freaking job, at least in sustainable bursts. Just be boringly effective. It seems so damned hard for these guys. Maybe it’s too much to ask. So maybe, just don’t play like a-holes. That’s all I ask. Let’s hope it starts this afternoon for Cleveland…

Well that was cathartic. Go Cavs.

Update:

The Cavs have waived DeAndre Liggins. Kyrie Irving will play, as will Paul Millsap. Rumors are the Cavs may be interested in Anderson Varejao, and,  of course, Dahntay Jones’ and Ray Allen’s names have also come up as possible replacements for Liggins’ roster spot.

D.Liggins starting 19 games for CLE this season and then being cut 3 games before the playoffs says a lot about how crazy this year's been

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 9, 2017